Ciresi presents $250K check to Pottstown Borough to install LED streetlights

HARRISBURG, March 10 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, presented a check on Wednesday night at Pottstown Borough Council Committee of the Whole meeting, for a $250,000 PA Department of Community and Economic Development grant he secured for Pottstown’s LED streetlight conversion project.

“Pottstown’s old streetlights made it difficult to drive or walk safely at night, as well drove up the Borough’s electric bills,” Ciresi said. “I secured this $250,000 grant to replace the old lights with new, energy efficient LED lights and control systems which will use less electricity and dramatically improve nighttime visibility and so improve safety in Pottstown Borough.”

Pottstown Borough has 1,821 streetlights which were installed in the 1960s, consisting of high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor. This DCED grant has allowed Pottstown Borough to purchase 820 fixtures to convert streetlights to LED, which will be installed by the borough.

"The upgrade of our streetlights to LED became possible due to the funding provided by DCED and the advocacy of Representative Ciresi,” Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller said. “We are grateful for their support as it allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and save on energy costs while improving safety in our neighborhoods. The LED streetlight upgrades are in line with our joint sustainability plan with the School District, emphasizing the importance of sustainable infrastructure for the community's future. This funding allows us to reach a significant milestone for this plan recommendation, bringing us almost halfway towards our sustainability plan goal, by installing 820 LED lights out of the 1800 streetlights in the Borough.”